What pops into your brain when you think spring? For me it's seeds. Seeds = spring. Well that and the ducks returning from their warmer climates. And Easter chocolate arriving in stores. Not to mention the color lime green. So even though the snow is coming down at a decent pace here, I'm noticing the seed racks cropping up in many stores. It's exciting! But all seed is not equal. At Baker Creek, their seed is untreated, and they only sell non-GMO, open-pollinated varieties. With over 1800 varieties of vegetables, rare flowers and herbs to choose from, the selection is yours! So leave a comment and like the post on our Facebook page for your chance to win the Heirloom Seed Collection from Baker Creek Heirloom seeds! You can also enter by signing up for the Raise Your Garden newsletter. Which of their seeds in the Heirloom Collection would you like to try first? (I put the entire list later in this post). You also get Clyde's Garden Planner - all packaged in a sturdy, resealable, mylar bag for long-lasting storage!

How long do seeds last?

Most garden seed will germinate very well if stored for a year, provided storage is relatively cool and dry. (Keep your seeds away from heaters, vents and sunny windows. Also don't store in a damp basement, bathroom closet, etc.)

Many that are not that great after the second year come from the onion family, including leeks, chives and shallot seeds, parsnips, possibly peppers and lettuce. Sow plenty of extra seed to compensate for relatively low germination. So plop a few extra seeds into your planting hole and cross your fingers!

In my experience, most garden seed will keep longer than just one year. If stored as mentioned above, most types are worth planting even after 2-3 years of storage, and many types, including squash, beans and tomatoes, can give surprisingly good results even at 5 years. Just remember, germination drops off gradually with most types, so as seed ages, plant more seed to account for reduced germination rates.

What seeds do you get in the Heirloom Seed Collection?

It's the small stuff in life that makes you happy. Right? The mylar bag package says I get 25 packets of seeds but if I am able to count correctly (and I certainly watch enough Sesame Street to do so)....I counted 27 seeds packets! Hooray for bonus spins!!

Here's what was included...

Basil lime (herb)

Beans cantare

Beet Chioggia

Cabbage tete noire

Carrot pusa rudhira red

Cauliflower purple of Sicily

Corn country gentleman

Cucumber marketmore 76

Eggplant little green

Kale blue curled Scotch

Lettuce parris Island cos

Melon golden Jenny

Mustard Southern giant curled

Onion Tokyo long white

Pepper Jimmy nardello Italian

Pepper purple jalapeno

Radish French breakfast

Rutabaga wilhelmsburg

Snow pea Oregaon sugar pod II

Spinach bloomsdale long standing

Squash winter luxury pie pumpkin

Squash desi

Sunflower mammoth grey striped

Tomato orange banana

Tomato pink vernissage

Turnip purple top white globe

Watermelon sugar baby

Honest thoughts....

I would love to be able to tell you how these seeds germinated. Unfortunately it's too early to plant, even indoors here so I'll have to be patient. Until then, all I can say is I love the variety that Baker Creek included. To my mind....that's their specialty, they offer so many unique seeds and plants. Where else can you buy 3 Dragon Fruit plants? I got so many types of seed that I've never tried before. Rutabaga....scrumptious! Can't wait to give it a whirl. How about you? What would you try first?

1st I would like to try the purple jalapeño peppers and then the snow pea pods. Love those.

Reply

Laura Jacobson

3/11/2017 12:02:25 am

Oh wow, these all sound so amazing!!!! I think my favorite to plant first would be the Snow pea Oregaon sugar pod II! Oh we love the peas every summer and the kids all love to pick them right off and eat them!

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Krystal Dunlap

3/11/2017 10:59:34 am

I commented on the Facebook post! Thank you!

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Julie Waldron

3/12/2017 11:34:03 am

I commented on the FB post...Julie Waldron

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Julie Waldron

3/12/2017 11:34:55 am

I shared this post on FB & tagged two friends.

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Julie Waldron

3/12/2017 11:36:24 am

Shared the post on FB https://www.facebook.com/julie.waldron.9237/posts/1097162687062860?pnref=story

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Jennifer Finn

3/12/2017 09:46:07 pm

I would like to try the watermelon sugar baby yum

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shirley emitt

3/14/2017 10:42:14 am

Liked you and the post and commented on FB.

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shirley emitt

3/14/2017 10:43:37 am

Tagged friends on FB.

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shirley emitt

3/14/2017 10:46:39 am

I shared and commented on Growing vertically with Plants On Walls & $200 giveaway!

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Gregg Deering

3/14/2017 07:31:45 pm

I would try Carrot pusa rudhira red

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Marija Majerle

3/16/2017 09:23:19 am

I liked and commented as Marija Majerle. I'd like to try the purple tomatillos.

Ooh I would love to try the purple cauliflower! Liked and shared the page!

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Steph

3/31/2017 03:05:46 pm

I want to try growing tomatoes !!

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Renee Rousseau

3/31/2017 05:12:48 pm

Left a comment on your Facebook page and liked the post

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Kathy Emerick

3/31/2017 05:49:11 pm

My first garden.. I want to grow anything.

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Yona Williams

3/31/2017 06:00:11 pm

I would want to try the Sunflower (mammoth grey striped). I've wanted to plant some. The watermelon and other melon have also caught my eye.

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Audrey grifgis

3/31/2017 06:13:33 pm

I'd love to try the sweet corn

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LeAnn Harbert

3/31/2017 08:53:50 pm

I shared growing vertical on Facebook

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LeAnn Harbert

3/31/2017 08:57:42 pm

I commented on Facebook as JJ Harbert
I want to try tomato orange banana

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The Happy Wife/Danielle Garcia

3/31/2017 09:13:49 pm

The Beet Chioggia would be my first choice.

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Dynal Roberson

4/7/2017 10:20:58 am

Liked, commented on, shared and subscribed.!

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chickie brewer

5/30/2017 01:35:52 pm

Pepper Jimmy nardello Italian

Reply

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﻿﻿Hi, I'm Laura and hail from Western New York. I consider myself a lifelong learner who loves gardening with a 360 degree view. Thanks for stopping by!﻿

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